World | Philippines
Asean member countries to sign open skies accord in December
Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- By Barbara Mae DacanayBureau Chief
- Published: 00:19 May 23, 2008
Manila: The Philippines will lead member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in signing a regional open skies accord in Manila by end of 2008, and its implementation would be done at a new premier airport in central Luzon, a local paper said.
"Philippines will sign an open skies accord with the other Asean member-countries in December to spur trade and tourism within the region," Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said.
"The accord's implementation would begin with unlimited flights between capital cities," explained Mendoza, adding, "Asean's national carriers would have the right to overfly an Asean-member country without landing; the right to stop in a country for refuel or maintenance without transferring passengers or cargo; and the right to carry passengers and cargo from one country to another and vice versa."
"Unlimited flights between capital cities can begin by December 2008. By 2015, we can be a single aviation market similar to what the European Union is doing," Mendoza said.
Asean comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
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